BEDOIN: THE START OF YOUR WALKING OR CYCLING ASCENT OF THE MONT VENTOUX!
Bedoin is located on the south side of the Mont Ventoux and boasts bustling restaurants and cafés and many bike rental shops! The houses have a slight ochre colour to them and there are no fewer than 15 fountains and a wash house dotted throughout the village centre. Bedoin is also home to one of the largest communal forests in France, over 63 km², with many hiking trails that are worth doing on your walking holiday in Provence, especially during the summer months as the forest provides a lot of shade.
The Mont Ventoux
Bedoin sits at the foot of the giant of Provence, the famous Mont Ventoux. There are 3 roads leading up to its summit and the one from Bedoin is certainly the most picturesque, and possibly the most challenging with 21.5km, an elevation gain of 1610m and an average slope of 7.5%! It is forest most of the way as the road twists and turns its way up to the top. The WOW factor is the last few kilometres when the summit comes into view and the landscape suddenly changes from green to lunar.
The Chalet Reynard is located 500m from the summit and has become something of an institution. Since 1927, the chalet has seen many a cyclist, walker, skier and biker come through its doors. It is the place to stop on your Provence cycling tour for some hearty, simple, home-made food.
There are many walking trails leading up to the summit and for a truly unforgettable experience on your Provence walking holiday, you can get a (very) early start and climb to the top in time for the sun rise. On your way down, you may stumble across one of the 3 remaining sheep and goat farmers of Bedoin with their herd. They could certainly tell you a story or two!
Mont Ventoux wines
Bedoin has one final notch on its belt: wine. The village is perched on the Saint Antonin hill with the Saint Pierre baroque church at its summit. Below, millions of grapes grow on the vineyards all around and are used to produce the Côte du Ventoux wine. It is said that the name Bedoin originates from the German “Bett Wein” literally meaning “wine bed”.
